Protect yourself and the community from the flu – get vaccinated!

DENVER—Coloradans wanting to protect themselves from seasonal influenza should get vaccinated now.

“We recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible since flu season is so unpredictable. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu virus,” said Lynn Trefren, immunization branch chief at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Annual seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. People at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza include those 65 years and older, children younger than five years, pregnant women and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.

Last year in Colorado, there were 3,397 hospitalizations and six pediatric deaths caused by the flu. Last year’s number of hospitalizations far exceeded the 2,157 hospitalizations reported during the 2009-10 flu pandemic.

Children aged six months through eight years may need to get two doses of the vaccine spaced at least four weeks apart.

People 65 and older are able to receive the high-dose flu vaccine, when available, to create a stronger immune response, but should not delay getting vaccine to wait for the high-dose product.